Maghull, L31, in Sefton, is largely made up of post-war and 1960s–80s estates with semis and detached houses, many of them with linked or integral garages. Converting a linked garage often means dealing with a shared wall, sound insulation and possibly the Party Wall Act; integral garages bring floor-level and fire-separation questions. We look at both at the visit, and Sefton Council handles planning.
Sharing a garage wall with next door
Linked garages, where your garage sits against your neighbour’s, are common on estates of this era. That shared wall changes the job in two ways.
Sound
A garage wall was never meant to stop noise between two living spaces. Where a wall is shared with a neighbour, building control may require a set level of sound insulation for the new room under Part E. In practice that usually means an independent lining with acoustic insulation, set off the party wall, designed in from the start.
The Party Wall Act
Work on or near a shared wall, such as cutting into it or digging foundations close to it, may fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. You may need to serve notice on your neighbour, and getting advice from a party wall surveyor is sensible. We flag this at the first visit so it does not hold up the programme later.
Integral garages on 1960s–80s houses
Integral garages here usually connect to the hall through an internal door, which is normally a fire door. That door and wall currently give fire separation. When the garage becomes a bedroom or study, the fire strategy for the ground floor is looked at again with building control, including doors, the escape route and smoke alarms. If the new room can only be reached through another room, an escape window is usually needed; LABC guidance gives a clear opening of at least 450 mm by 733 mm, with the bottom no more than 1.1 m above the floor.
The other feature is the floor. Garages built into houses were often set down from the hall, and the concrete is usually uninsulated. A new membrane, insulation and screed bring it up to the level of the house. Our floor insulation and levelling page explains how.
How a Maghull conversion runs
- We call back and ask whether the garage is linked, integral or attached, and what the room is for.
- We visit and check the shared wall, floor level, roof and door opening.
- Drawings are prepared by an architect or architectural technician where the job needs them, covering sound, fire and insulation.
- You check planning with Sefton Council and we explain the Building Regulations route; any party wall notices are dealt with.
- Work follows the approved drawings, with inspections at the usual stages, and a registered electrician issues the electrical paperwork.
- Building control issues the completion certificate, which you keep with the deeds.
Popular rooms in Maghull
A downstairs bedroom is a frequent choice, as is a playroom close to the kitchen where children can be heard but not underfoot. Both benefit from the sound lining when the garage is linked. Our Building Regulations page covers the requirements in more depth.
Nearby areas
We also work in neighbouring Aintree and out towards Formby. For a broader introduction, read about converting a garage in Liverpool on our homepage, where we explain each stage of a Merseyside garage conversion.
Linked or integral garage in Maghull?
Call 07777 659786 and describe the garage and the room you would like. We will ring back to arrange a visit.
Frequently asked questions
Will my neighbour hear me in a converted linked garage?
Without the right detail, sound can travel through a shared wall more than people expect. Where the wall is shared with a neighbour, building control may require a set level of sound insulation for the new room. We build that into the design, usually as an independent lining with acoustic insulation.
Do I need to tell my neighbour before converting a linked garage?
If the work affects the shared wall or involves digging near it, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply, and you may need to serve notice on your neighbour. It is a good idea to get advice from a party wall surveyor. Talking to the neighbour early usually helps too.
Can I take out the fire door between the house and my integral garage?
Not on your own judgement. Before conversion the door usually forms part of the fire separation between the garage and the house. Once the garage becomes a room, the fire strategy for that floor, including doors, escape routes and smoke alarms, is reviewed with building control. Never remove a fire door without that agreement.
Is there a step down into a Maghull integral garage?
There usually is. Integral garage floors were often set lower than the house. The conversion normally adds a damp-proof membrane, rigid insulation and a screed or timber floor, which raises the level and removes or reduces the step. We check the exact difference at the visit.